The Journey is the Cake!
I am blessed through all my hard work and dedication I was able to obtain my
IFBB Pro Figure Card in 2005 at the New York Figure Nationals. Pro status had
always been a dream of mine that was almost extinguished with the many obstacles
I had to overcome. For one I did not decide to compete until I was older than
some of my other fellow competitors. Challenge was an understatement. I had always
been a strict dieter and cardio maniac and had to change the way I trained and
as well as my relationship with food.
As athletes we must maintain a strict regiment of feeding our bodies through sound nutrition. I was always the type that had to make myself eat. I learned to love to eat all too well in some of my amateur off-seasons, which would lead to unhealthy binges of nuts and cashews. Not good. As of late I have come to the realization that it's ok to have your moments of certain cravings. Don't deprive yourself, allow yourself those treats. This will keep you from becoming a Binge Monster.
In 2004 I became very acquainted with a condition called Hyponutrimia, over hydration.
I was about six weeks out from the Emerald Cup, looking amazing, feeling great getting through my workouts without a problem but extremely thirsty all the time. I felt like I could not get enough water in me. Unfortunately I also did not have enough electrolytes in my system to sustain my water balance. I experienced the condition of over hydration in the middle of Chicago's busiest airport as I was arriving from a business trip. It wasn't as simple as having to go to the rest room, but actually became a grand mal seizure where I had to be rushed to the emergency room. I was lucky to have been traveling with a co-worker that ended up saving my life that day. Thanks Greg! The next four days were trying for my family as you can imagine as I laid in a full blown coma with IVs and other medical accessories. I really don't think I would have pulled out of it if it had not been for the prayers of my family and friends. When I came out of it I felt a huge determination to get back to normal ASAP! This meant training, working, flying and yes competing! I was crazy according to allot of people for even wanting to attempt to step on stage that year. Well I did. I continued with my training after taking a few weeks off. Those were probably the toughest weeks of my life. I could barely talk right let alone put 15 pounds dumbbells over my head. I remember the determination I felt the first day back at the gym. I felt the tears streaming down my face, how quickly my muscles had atrophied from just a few days of non-activity. I did come back and better than ever. While I was out my four day hiatus, I woke up with different priorities in life. Without even thinking I felt myself living every day as if it were my last. I approached my training in the same way as well. I also felt a necessity to help and motivate those that felt helpless in their quest in life not just athletics. Athletes are special individuals we each have a special something that drives us through our challenges. I found myself not thinking of my athletics as an escape but more as a career. I found my passion translating into the work I was doing with supplement companies. This brings us to today, where I currently reside in sunny California, thanks to my love for the fitness industry and passion for healthy living!
I would like to thank God for all his wonderful blessings in my life, my family and friends for all their unconditional, faithful love and support. All of you have been my angels in my life.
I appreciate all the support that has been extended to me through my friends
in the various arenas of my life. Special thanks go to Mark and Dave Rubin, Bill
Romanowski, and last but not least my trainer Kim Otto. I appreciate the enlightenment
all of you have brought into my life through professional development, spiritual
growth and transformation.
I hope that I have given you a reason today to live as if you were dying.
Don't wait until it's too late you may not get that second chance.
Have Faith God's got you!
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